Targeted Killing, Norms, and International Law

This Article argues that an international norm permitting the use of targeted killing as a counter-terrorism tactic is likely to emerge. However, international law currently is not in a position to guide State behavior with respect to targeted killings. Thus, the international legal community should respond by defining more precisely the limits of the legitimate use of targeted killings and by strengthening legal norms prohibiting assassinations and extrajudicial executions.